Texas Republicans reacted angrily to the Internal Revenue Service’s confession today that its agents had flagged conservative groups for additional review during the 2012 election season.

Led by Sen. John Cornyn, Texas conservatives were quick to denounce the IRS and tie the unethical — and possibly illegal — behavior to the Obama administration.

If you’re a patriot, the IRS is looking for you!

“Partisan politics have consistently characterized this White House, and the administration must take immediate disciplinary action and ensure American citizens are not subject to this type of Orwellian persecution again,” Cornyn said in a statement.

The IRS admitted to subjecting election groups with the word “tea party” or “patriot” to additional review of tax-exempt non-profit status on Friday, according to an Associated Press report.

The IRS division head of tax-exempt groups, Lois Lerner, told the AP that the practice began with low-level workers in Cincinnati, and that high-level official were not aware of the practice.

Lerner said 75 groups had been inappropriately targeted, and none had lost their tax-exempt status.

Tax-exempt status for political groups can only be won if the group can prove their primary purpose is not politics, but charity.

Other conservatives took to social media on the issue:

I had sent a letter to the IRS asking why they were targeting some of our local conservative groups. Glad IRS… fb.me/17UkWkctQ